Egypt Investigates Satirist Over Morsi 'Insult'

Egypt's state prosecutor ordered an investigation into a claim that a popular satirical show host insulted President Mohamed Morsi.

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Arutz Sheva staff, 01/01/13 19:34

Mohamed Morsi

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Egypt's state prosecutor ordered on Tuesday an investigation into a claim that popular satirical show host Bassem Yousef insulted President Mohamed Morsi, a judicial source said.

On his show Al-Barnameg (The Program), Youssef, dubbed the Egyptian Jon Stewart, had poked fun at the ruling Islamists and Morsi's temporary adoption of extensive powers in November and December, AFP reported.

He may be summoned for questioning after the case was transferred to a Cairo prosecutor for investigation, the source said.

The lawyer who filed the complaint, Ramadan Abdel Hamid al-Aqsari, had in the past sought to sue a range of media personalities and politicians.

The state prosecutor, Talaat Ibrahim, had on December 27 ordered a probe into three top opposition leaders accused of trying to incite Morsi's overthrow.

The lawyer who filed that complaint has since recanted.

“I don’t criticize, I satirize. I make fun, which is even more shocking. Whoever is in authority will have to deal with our program,” Youssef told Al Arabiya last month.